Issue

How medical history can be helpful for future medical treatment: obtaining summary of drugs and radiotherapy from medical institution.

Background

Your doctor will need to have a complete history of your prior cancer and the treatment you received to provide you with the best medical care.

Information

You should obtain a written history of your prior cancer and treatment from the institution where you were originally treated with cancer. The information you need to receive includes:

• Description of your specific type of cancer, with type, stage or prognostic group, and location of the cancer.
• All surgical procedures performed (even for central line catheters).
• Specific chemotherapy drugs and amount of each drug you received.
• Sites that received radiation therapy and how much radiation each site received.
• Any known complications experienced due to the cancer or treatment.
• Latest test results performed to monitor for side effects, emphasizing any potential problems that may require more frequent monitoring.
• Specific concerns for future medical follow-up and recommended monitoring schedule of tests and procedures.

The summary of your medical history should be shared with each of your health care providers. As you change doctors, be sure to get the summary updated, especially with the most recent test results. This personalized summary will not only be of assistance to your doctor, but will also alert you to your schedule for regular follow-up.

Note: Many institutions who care for children with cancer will summarize your medical history at your request.

Resources

Facing Forward: A guide for cancer survivors. National Cancer Institute NIH Publication, No. 93-2424, Oct. 1992 A sample of a follow-up summary form is included in this publication.